The India-UN Fund has completed the long-awaited construction of the Niangdo dam in Burkina Faso, delivering on a promise that had remained unfulfilled for over four decades for the people of the Poa commune.
The milestone was announced by the Indian Mission to the United Nations on Friday, which shared the news on X, posting, “Supporting livelihoods! A dam has been built in #BurkinaFaso under #IndiaUNFund.”
The United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) confirmed that the dam, with a capacity of 580,000 cubic metres, will help restore 5,000 hectares of land.
As part of the project, 400 farmers, 60 pc of whom are women, have already received training, while 344 students, including 52 per cent girls, have learnt market gardening skills. 40 washroom facilities have also been constructed for already resettled families.
The dam is planned to serve over 50,000 people in the Poa commune, providing crucial water resources in this landlocked West African country that has long struggled with erratic rainfall and worsening climate challenges.
UNOSSC emphasised that the sustainable management of water resources is central to strengthening food security and fighting extreme poverty in the region.
The project was initiated in 2020 through a partnership involving the Government, the UNDP and the India-UN Development Partnership Fund.
The India-UN Fund, launched in 2017 with a commitment of USD150 million, is supported and guided by the Government of India and works with the UN system to deliver transformative, demand-driven development projects.
UNOSSC noted that the dam has brought welcome economic vitality to the Poa community, creating jobs and enhancing livelihoods.
Earlier this year, while addressing Parliament, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh highlighted that India has extended more than 190 Lines of Credit worth USD12.22 billion to 42 African countries.
These have funded diverse projects in sectors including power, hydroelectricity, transmission networks, dams, roads, railways, agriculture, irrigation, industrial development and skills training.
Singh underlined that India’s engagement with Africa is anchored in a consultative partnership model, focused on sharing development experiences and meeting the priorities identified by African nations themselves.
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